County signs agreement for new dog

Red Willow County commissioners signed an agreement Monday morning to purchase a dog from an Alabama kennel, a German shepherd or Belgian Malinois to be trained as a K-9 officer for the Red Willow County sheriff's department.

Sheriff Gene Mahon told commissioners during their weekly meeting that a K-9 committee has raised about $9,200 in donations, $6,000 of which will be used to buy the dog. Training for the dog and sheriff's deputy Sgt. Joe Koetter will cost about $1,400.

The dog will be shipped from Kasseburg Canine Training Center in New Market, Ala., probably in September, Mahon said. Training in tracking and drug detection for the dog and Koetter will start in October at the Nebraska State Patrol Training Center in Grand Island.

The new dog will be the county's second K-9 officer. Styker, a German shepherd, served the county from summer 1997 until his retirement in 2006. He died March 23, 2007, after veterinarian Dr. Wayne Watkins diagnosed a cancerous growth on his back.

The sheriff's department will continue to accept donations that will help pay for dog food, regular veterinary care, training/recertification and liability insurance. Tax-deductible donations can be made out to the "Nebraska Community Foundation," the non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides Nebraskans and former Nebraskans a way to donate to the state or its communities.

The note on a check must indicate that the donation is for the "Red Willow County Canine Unit," Sheriff Mahon said. Donations are to be mailed to the sheriff's office, at 502 Norris Ave., McCook, Ne 69001.